Øyskjeggene

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The Øyskjeggene were a group of Norwegian rebels against King Sverre who came from Scottish islands in 1193 and established themselves in Viken .

The feudal man Hallkjell Jonsson and his wife Ragnhild, sister of King Magnus Erlingsson, developed a plan in 1190 to overthrow King Sverre. Olav Jarlsmåg, a brother-in-law of Jarl Harald Maddaðsson of Orkney , was also a key figure in the uprising. Sigurd, an illegitimate son of Jarl Erling, was also there. King Sverre later accused Bishop Nikolas Arnason of Oslo of instigating the uprising.

The plan was that Hallkjell should first bring Sigurd Magnusson , whose guardian he was still, to Olav Jarlsmåg. He had large estates in the Shetland Islands , so it was not suspect to take him out of the country there. This happened in 1192. The following year Olav drove with Sigurd to Orkney, where a meeting with leading insurgents, among others Hallkjell Jonsson, took place. This also included the Jarl Harald Maddaðsson , who weighed Sigurd because his father, King Magnus , had been good friends with the Orkneyjarl . Harald gave permission for everyone who wanted to move with Sigurd. In addition, Sigurd received the royal name in Orkney. Many swore their allegiance to him there and the young king received great popularity from the Shetland Islands and the Orkneys. The team was called Øyskjeggene (island axes).

In the summer of 1193 the Øyskjeggene came to Viken, where Sigurd was proclaimed king on the Haugating. They acted peacefully and did not pillage. After a fight in Borg , the Birkebeiner withdrew inland, and there was no more resistance in Viken. In the autumn they drove north and subjugated the whole area south of Stad and levied duties and taxes. From 1193 to 1194 Sigurd sat with his main force in Bergen . There he was very popular.

During Lent 1194, King Sverre advanced from the north. On April 3, there was a sea battle at Florvåg on the southeast side of Askøy, northwest of Bergen. The Øyskjegger initially had an advantage and the Birkebeiner had to withdraw. Hallkjell was the better tactician here. But when the Øyskjeggene tried to pursue the Birkebeiner, it turned out that their oars were unusable. So they were floating in the current, unable to maneuver. Then the Birkebeiner turned around and attacked the ships of the Øyskjeggene one by one. Sigurd jumped overboard and was killed while swimming in the water. Hallkell Jonsson and his men fell on their ship. Almost the entire force was wiped out. Sigurd's body was found some time later. The survivors of the insurgents joined the baglers shortly afterwards .

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